just diagnosed with aspergers. I don't know where to start

[hjarrold]

Hi this is my first time posting. My son has just been diagnosed with AS after trawling the internet for ways to help him i'm completely confused. could anyone point me in the right direction. questions:

what is regarded as the best interventions / therapy?

Has anyone had experience with tower hamlets? good / bad / run for the hills

going private for therapy? should I? what is available? any suggestions

what are good websites to look through?

He is three years old and i feel i need to be doing something but have no idea where to start. I f anyone has any information on anything about aspergers that might help or that is regarded as best ways to help him please please please could you help me.

start by getting yourself on one of the NAS courses (national autistic society).
They do introductory courses that will explain what as is and give you a starting point for parenting (it can be VERY different to the norm).

If you can travel to Highgate the charity ambitous about autism also run cheap courses that have a different perspective, (aba). Doing both will give you a good basis to work out what to ask for next in terms of therapies/support.

national autistic society and ambitous about autsim are your first stops for a google

NAS also hold a database of local info that will tell you what local services and events are being run in your area, don't be scared to give them a call.

I know for a fact that tower hamlets does a wicked sensory programme for AS kids (one of the teachers is a neighour) in their children's centres. If you can choose a council run nursery based in a children's centre as in tower hamlets salts, and all sorts of professionals pop in and out on a daily basis, making building relationships with all the professionals a lot easier.

Tower hamlets early years provision is VERY well funded but don't scared to research out of borough for school age options as you are in a good location for transport connections. Doing the intro course from aba & nas will give you links with other local parents who will give you useful hints & tips too. The best advice I've had has come not from the pros but Mums.

Do stay on the board - the mums here seem to know where to go to find the answer to almost any question and offer amazing support for lifes lows.

thank you so much for the information i really do appreciate it. the courses sound good im going to have a look and book on asap tank you

There are lots of Mums here of children with AS so you are in good company.

I agree with getting on a course, or maybe trying to read some of the seemingly hundreds of books out there. I really like 'Martians in the Playground which is written by an adult with AS'. I would also recommend reading anything by Wendy Lawson, who also has AS. She does do talks which are brilliant but she is unwell at the moment and her latest tour has been cancelled.

Maybe if you tell us about your DS's areas of difficulties we might be able to suggest therapies etc.

Hi and welcome to the board, I have a Dd who is 9 and has a diagnosis of ASD. I like the books "The complete guide to Aspergers" by Tony Attwood and "10 things every autistic child wishes you knew".

Stick around on the SN board there are loads of people in similar situations on here

thanks for all your suggestions they are much appreciated.

some of his main problem areas are interacting with other children if anyone gets to close to him he hits and bites, he knows to say sorry but i can tell he doesn't understand he has just learnt thats what you have to say. because he is aggressive he has no friends and going to parks or stay and plays is just impossible at the moment.

He has two emotions excited or angry, if he gets into a bad mood it can last all day with him hitting and screaming and no kind of bribery, sympathy or talking can get him out of it. (in fact it makes him worse)

he is really clever and full of energy, very funny and really charming at home but as soon as we go to a new place it is a total melt down. Family gatherings are even tough even though we are very close and he sees them individually all the time, there are just too many people for him and too much going on, so even these fun things he is starting to miss out on because its just to painful to watch him go through it.

i feel like he is going to miss out on so much because i cant find a way to get through to him to let him know that its ok.